In the Heart of Montreal, More Than a Formula One Race

Few races on the Formula One calendar are as generally well loved by the participants as the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, thanks in part, many say, to the welcome offered by the locals.

The circuit is on Île Notre-Dame, the island where the Expo 67 world’s fair was held, just one Métro stop from downtown Montreal. When not hosting the race, the island is a popular leisure destination. It remains one of the draws of the race, with its parkland, casino, boating activities and vestiges of the world’s fair. Montreal is known for hosting special events in downtown area streets, with several roads closed to traffic.

“It’s a fantastic and vibrant city,” said Ole Schack, a mechanic on the Red Bull car of Sebastian Vettel. “If you want to go to the French quarter and have great food, you can, and if you want to go downtown and have a pizza, then you can do that. It’s a great place. We always say that the three M races are very good — Montreal, Monaco and Melbourne — and all of them are races in the city, so it just gives a different atmosphere.”

Track Action After the Monaco anomaly of practice on Thursday, track action is back to Friday through Sunday in Montreal, with the two practice sessions at the same hours as the Friday sessions in Europe, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Saturday morning practice is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. But qualifying is an hour earlier than at most other venues, running from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The race starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, like races at most other venues.

The Canadian race organizers are generous with the support races as well, providing a full spectrum of different series, which is a break from the usual GP2, GP3 and Porsche races at many other Grands Prix. There will be a Ferrari Challenge series, a Formula 1600 series, Canadian Touring Car Championship races and the Masters HGP historic car races. The latter will include some Ferrari Formula One cars once driven by Gilles Villeneuve, the Canadian driver after whom the Montreal circuit is named.

Track Fan Activities The activities at the Canadian Grand Prix are numerous. They started on Thursday with the opening of the pit lane to the public, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., allowing fans to see the team mechanics at work on the cars in the garages.

Fan merchandise, food and activity booths surround the circuit, and visitors to the track can make a stopover at the Montreal Casino, which is near the paddock. The recently renovated casino has one of the widest selections of games in North America, with 3,000 slot machines, 100 gaming tables, five bars, four restaurants and many free shows — and it is always open.

Surrounding the circuit are many garden and park areas to visit or for picnicking.

The popular Canadian pop music star Roch Voisine will sing the Canadian national anthem before the race.

Special Events in the City Not to be missed is the Canadian Grand Prix Festival, on Crescent Street, in downtown Montreal, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. The street is closed to cars, with free live entertainment, open-air bars, concerts and street music, as well as a pit stop challenge, where you can test your skill at changing a racing tire. Crowds tend to be largest on Friday and Saturday nights.

Nightlife and Tourism Most of the action is centered around Rue Sainte Catherine, Saint Laurent Boulevard and Crescent Street, but there is plenty to see and do elsewhere. This city may be North American, but it still has a touch of Europe about it, especially in the old town, the Vieux Montreal, which is within walking distance of the skyscrapers of the main downtown area and has many restaurants and bars. The Latin Quarter, near the University of Quebec, is, like its Parisian equivalent, a popular hangout for students, while Griffintown, in the former southwestern downtown, is the more recently popular area for the Anglophone community.

Where To Stay Montreal is full of hotels of all different categories and prices. The most convenient area to stay in for racing fans is the Latin Quarter, near the Berri-UQAM Métro station. From there, the Formula One circuit is only one stop away.

Ticket Prices One-day tickets are available, as are three-day packages. Three-day passes range in price from 165.60 Canadian dollars, or about $150, to 560.60 dollars for the main grandstand. Children 11 and under attend free with an adult.